Report Card: A to Asheville-GE deal

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space. Got an idea that makes the grade? Send it to JBuchanan@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.

Reader grades

D to the Asheville Citizen-Times, now a Buncombe County newspaper with a few mentions of what happens in Henderson and occasionally Haywood County. Not too many years ago the AC-T was the voice of Western North Carolina with stories daily from all of Western North Carolina. The AC-T still has a section called "Mountains." Today, Monday, there were six stories on the Mountains section and all six were from Asheville, including John Boyle's observations on all things Buncombe. As a longtime subscriber and former reporter for the AC-T, I implore the newspaper's powers-that-be to again be the voice of and for Western North Carolina. There used to be a feeling that the state stopped at Hickory. Now those of us out here in the far western counties believe the state stops at Buncombe County - at least as far as the AC-T is concerned.

Bob Scott, Franklin

Staff grades

A to the long-awaited announcement that GE Aviation plans to invest $126 million in cutting-edge technology creating ceramic matrix composite parts for new jet engines. The company said it will add at least 52 new jobs to an expanded plant at the Sweeten Creek Industrial Park. The deal, known for months as the mysterious Project X, saw both county and city officials lining up a complex real estate swap and cash incentives for the unidentified client, trying to win the coveted contract for North Carolina. While the lack of transparency was troubling at the time, in hindsight the deal looks like a good bet to bring those higher-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs that will boost our average wage in Buncombe County.

A to the prison terms handed out in a major poaching case. The evidence indicates this was not a subsistence farmer killing an animal to supplement his diet but rather an organized ring illegally taking deer, bear and other wildlife on national forest lands. "We anticipate the success of (enforcement efforts) will send a strong message," said Anne Tompkins, U.S. attorney for Western North Carolina. We hope she's right.

C to the news that some fire districts in Buncombe County will have to raise taxes. Anyone hates to see taxes go up in hard times, but these districts appear to have no choice if they are to serve their constituents. The situation is yet one more reminder that growth, especially growth that sprawls into the countryside, comes with costs. No fewer than three districts are seeing the need for new stations to improve their coverage.

A to a proposal by the North Carolina university system to increase the number of out-of-state students in the universities. Out-of-state students broaden the talent pool. Also, nearly half remain in North Carolina for at least three years after graduation. Finally, out-of-state students pay their own way. Proposals in Raleigh to raise out-of-state tuition should be evaluated carefully, as UNC President Tom Ross said.

F to the news that banks are moving away from free checking accounts unless the depositor has other business with the bank. The percentage of banks with free checking has fallen from 76 to 39 in four years. The changes will hit the very people who need checking service the most, those who cannot afford other services. Many will have to either to carry cash to pay bills or use higher-cost services such as money orders.

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Report Card: A to Asheville-GE deal

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space.